How Constructive…
- Aubrey Whitaker
- Oct 22
- 1 min read
The White House East Wing is Demolished During Construction
As of Sept. 2025, the construction of a ballroom for the White House has been in motion. Despite previous assurances that construction would not interfere with the preexisting East Wing, its demolition began on Oct. 20, 2025. This is the first major renovation since 1948 when President Harry Truman gutted the interior of the White House and added a balcony to the second floor of the South Portico.
President Trump’s renovation has faced criticism, mainly from historical preservation groups and for a lack of federal approval. In response to this criticism, the White House released a statement outlining previous renovations, claiming this one is not different. While the White House is exempt from the National Historic Preservation Act, previous presidents had voluntarily submitted their plans for approval before beginning construction. Trump officials claimed they would do the same, but they have yet to follow through.
The construction of this 90,000 square-foot ballroom has cost around $250 million, which was funded by President Trump, multiple billionaires and top companies. This project has faced further scrutiny as the Secret Service closed off access to Ellipse Park, where reporters were taking photos of the demolition.
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